Image via Complex Original
Context is everything. Except on the Internet. Thanks to GIFs, context-less clips from movies and television shows abound. They've become our computerized feeling-enhancers. You think everyone around you just doesn’t get it? The GIF of Charlie Day threatening to smack people into fragments displays those emotions exactly. Better even, funnier. Though, amongst all the laughs, we may have done irreparable damage to Nicolas Cage’s career. Oh well, moving on.
Along the way, we've lost the backstory behind our favorite GIFs, but digging up their history just might give you a newfound appreciation for them. Did you know that the extremely popular and infinitely adaptable GIF of a bearded man giving a nod of approval is actually Robert Redford and taken from an ultra-masculine Western? Not likely. As such, let’s revisit these glorious moments and get into Explaining the Origins of Your Favorite Movie and TV GIFs.
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Jean-Claude Van Damme Dancing in Breakin (1984)
Jean-Claude Van Damme makes a cameo appearance in Breakin' during a street dancing scene.
Robert Redford Nods in Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
Jeremiah Johnson (Robert Redford) catches a wild animal in front of his new wife and her son in this Western epic.
Condescending Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) awaits childrens' answers when he asks them if they'd like to see one of the wonders developed in his chocolate factory.
Menacing Charlie Day on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, "The Nightman Cometh" (Season 4, Episode 13)
Charlie (Charlie Day) reaches his breaking point when the gang is bent on destroying his vision for his Nightman Cometh play.
Excited Will Ferrell in Elf (2003)
Buddy (Will Ferrell) learns that Santa will be visiting the store the next morning.
Will Ferrell Freaking Out in Zoolander (2001)
Mugatu (Will Ferrell) intends to expose Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) and freaks out when no one seems to notice that Derek is the face of three different companies.
Miserable Amanda Bynes in She's the Man (2006)
Viola Hastings (Amanda Bynes) utters these words after arriving late to a dainty Junior League luncheon.
Matt Damon Dancing in Good Will Hunting (1997)
In a therapy session, Will Hunting (Matt Damon) admits that he can't help getting his groove on when he goes into dance clubs. (But he's lying.)
The Sassy Abbey Lee Miller on Dance Moms
Full quote: "That's it. I'm outta here. Nobody talks to me like that while there's a full table of snacks out back. Mama needs a nosh."
Donald Glover Crying in Community "Competitive Wine Tasting" (Season 2, Episode 20)
Troy Barnes (Donald Glover) succumbs to his emotions while taking a theatre class with Britta (Gilian Jacobs).
David Cross Crying in Arrested Development, "Top Banana" (Season 1, Episode 2)
After receiving critique of his Shakespeare play, Tobias Funke (David Cross) cries in the shower thinking about former high school crush, Tracy Schwartzman.
Cobie Smulders Crying on How I Met Your Mother, "The Stinson Missile Crisis" (Season 7, Episode 4)
In a flashback scene, Robin (Cobie Smulders) breaks down in reaction to her ex-boyfriend Barry (Neil Patrick Harris) serenading her co-worker Nora at the office—even though she set them up.
The Crying Fist Pump on America's Next Top Model (Cycle 14, Episode 6)
A grateful Alasia is spared elimination from America's Next Top Model.
Tina Belcher Dancing on Bob's Burgers, "Burger Wars" (Season 1, Episode 10)
Tina Belcher (Dan Mintz) seduces Jimmy Jr. (H. Jon Benjamin) into dancing with her.
Zac Efron Dancing in High School Musical 2 (2007)
Troy (Zac Efron) twirls while singing "Bet On It" in High School Musical 2.
Turnt Up Snape in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)
Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) kills Professor Severus Snape (Alan Rickman), convinced he would now wield the wand's power.
Jim Carrey Typing in Bruce Almighty (2003)
Bruce Almighty (Jim Carrey) begins to answer millions of unanswered prayer emails.
Walter Jones Dancing on the Power Rangers
Original Mighty Morhphin' Power Ranger, Black Ranger (Zack Taylor) gets into his fighting stance in the opening credits.
The Channel Four News Team Jumps in Anchorman (2004)
Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) and his crew celebrate their decision to get new suits with aplomb.
Hiding Homer on The Simpsons, "Two Bad Neighbors" (Season 7, Episode 13)
Homer Simpson backs into some bushes after Ned rejects his desire to join a Flanders family trip.
Anthony Michael Hall has the shades in The Breakfast Club (1985)
Brian (Anthony Michael Hall) puts on sunglasses during a montage in which the gang break out of the detention room.
Wee-Bey's Disbelief onThe Wire, "The Hunt" (Season 1, Episode 11)
Wee-Bey (Hasson Johnson) reacts to finding out that he and his crew shot and wounded, Kima (Sonja Sohn), an undercover cop.
Carlton Dancing on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro) teaches kid how to dance to Tom Jones's "It's Not Unusual."
Jimmy Falls Down in Degrassi: The Next Generation, "Broken Wings" (Season 7, Episode 19)
Jimmy (Aubrey Graham) learns to walk with crutches for the first time post-surgery.
James Van Der Beek Crying onDawson's Creek, "True Love" (Season 3, Episode 23)
Joey (Katie Holmes) finally and conclusively breaks up with Dawson (James Van Der Beek) to go sailing for the summer with Pacey.
Frustrated Ed Norton in The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Bruce Banner (Ed Norton) is disappointed when his advisor, whom he turns to for help to control his transformation, lets him down.
Orson Welles Clapping in Citizen Kane (1941)
Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles) taking in the opera starring his mistress. (He got her the part.)
Nic Cage Freaking Out in Bringing Out the Dead (1999)
In this harrowing scene, an extremely exahausted and haunted Frank (Cage) accepts a hit of heroin nicknamed "Red Death." The voice in his heads becomes louder, causing him to scream uncontrollably.
